A/N: Ummm, is anyone still reading this? I missed my deadline, but from here on out I will be updating on a monthly basis. Here's the next chapter, please enjoy!
Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach, never have, never will.
Chapter 7: Beginning Again
It rarely happened, but this time it did: as soon as the words were out of her mouth, Rukia wished she could take hold of them and shove them back in.
For the second time that week, it seemed she was interrupting something.
Lieutenant Renji Abarai was seated at Michiru's bedside, holding her small hand in his own. Rukia had apparently disrupted their conversation with her loud and abrasive entrance.
"We'll talk again soon, Michiru-san." Renji said, standing to his feet and turning towards Rukia. She froze instantly, suddenly feeling very self conscious.
Lieutenant Renji Abarai simply walked past her without out a word.
To say she was aghast would be a understament. Rukia turned and poked her head out of the doorway and watched him descend down the corridor. She had half a mind to follow him and demand to know why he had ignored her when just last night he couldn't keep his hands off of her. She was just about to give into that urge when a hoarse voice called out to her.
"Rukia-chan, I'm glad you came."
Abandoning her selfish impulse, Rukia hurried to her friend's bedside, taking a seat in the chair the Lieutenant had vacated. "Don't be a fool! Of course I came. How are you feeling?"
Michiru smiled slightly. " I've been better.. how are you feeling?"
Both Michiru and Rukia know this was a highly loaded question. Rukia wasn't nearly naive enough to think for even a moment that Michiru wasn't talking about the absent Lieutenant, but Rukia chose not to indulge.
"I'm fine." she replied cooly, looking not uncommonly like her Nii-sama. She chose to ignore the look of skepticism on her dear friend's face. She could not answer her question without wanting to ask one of her own.
Why was Renji here?
There was no doubt in her mind that it would only lead to further questions... some that she wasn't certain that she wanted the answers too.
But there was one question she did want answered.
"Michiru... are you dying?"
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Renji wasn't as subtle man by any means, unlike his Captain. He didn't do well with stealth and approaching situations "delicately". No; he was much more of a straight forward type of man. That's why he knew he hade to set things straight with Rukia Kuchiki.
As he made his way down the corridor, he thought over the advice that Michiru Shirogane had bestowed upon him.
"Be honest with her." she had said. "Tell her what you're expecting and what you expect from her." Surely she wasn't serious. Had the medicinal herbs been affecting her mental capabilities? Michiru Shirogane wanted him tobe honest with Rukia Kuchiki of all people. Though he did not lie in the first place, being completely honest with the love of your life, especially when he had no idea what she was thinking was not an easy thing to swallow.
But he was no coward.
Michiru Shirogane know better than most what would get through to Rukia best; he would be a fool not to heed her words.
But still...
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Violet eyes widened when a soft chuckle fell from Michiru's mouth.
Rukia's face reddened, not from embarrassment but from anger. "Stop laughing!" she barked. "I'm serious!"
Michiru sobered immediately for it was rare that Rukia used such a tone with her. Looking into her eyes, she saw with clarity that it was fear that fueled her anger.
"I'm not dying Rukia. I'm just sick." Michiru replied.
"How can you be certain?" asked Rukia vehemently.
"I can't be, but let's be rational her Rukia." she added hastily when Ruikia turned away from her.
"I am being rational; It's perfectly reasonable that you could die from this!"
"We don't even know what this is!" retorted Michiru, growing steadily impatient with Rukia's unnecessary fear.
"That is precisely my point! How can you say you're not dying when no one even knows what's wrong with you?!"
Michiru took a good look at Rukia, she was fuming from her little outburst and she got the feeling that they were arguing about something else, she just didn't know what...yet.
"Rukia-chan", spoke Michiru, trying to remain calm, "Are you sure it's me you're so worried about?"
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"How are you feeling today?"
Hisana opened her heavy eyes. She hadn't been quite asleep, just dozing a little, but her eyes were felt sleep laden nonetheless. She looked up through heavy lashes to see her husband standing before her. "Why aren't you at the barracks?" she asked somewhat groggily.
"I am on midday break." he answered.
She turned her head to see the noon day sun filtering through the sheer curtains. "Oh." She turned back to stare up at the ceiling. She couldn't remember when she had even laid down. She remembered coming into the room to catch up on some paper work the elders had asked her to look over, no doubt hoping that she would mar them in some way...but when had she laid down?...
"Hisana," Byakuya called again, seeing that he had lost her attention."You didn't answer my question."
"...What was that?" she asked, hazily.
"I asked how are you feeling today."
"... Okay."
Seeing that he wasn't going to receive a legit answer from her, he seated himself on the edge of the bed and took her hand in his own, interlocking their fingers. Violet eyes met ashen ones.
"Do you really think that you are dying?"
"Yes..." she replied tiredly, "I do, Byakuya-sama."
"And how do you know this?"
Hisana thought for a moment, torn on how to best explain it to him. "I can just semse it; like my body is simply giving out. It's tired of fighting."
"We can bring in Captain Unohana to do a more thorough evaluation."
He really isn't going to accept it. I'm so sorry Byakuya-sama, but there's nothing they can do for me anymore. Hisana though sadly to herself. "Alright, if that's what will make you happy, I'll allow her to see me."
"Good, I'll send a message directly to her after lunch." replied Byakuya, satisfied with her answer. "What will you have?" he asked, turning back towards her.
"I'll have what you have."
He nodded and turned to go.
"And Byakuya-sama," Hisana called after him, "Don't tell Rukia."
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"Wh-What are you talking about Michiru?" sputtered Rukia, "Of course I'm worried about you! I just-"
"No, Rukia," cut in Michiru firmly, "I know you. Something is going on. I just arrived her yesterday evening, I haven't even been her for twenty-four hours and you think I'm dying?"
"I-I saw the way you hit the floor!"
"And I can see the terror in your eyes and it is not over me!"
Rukia stopped. She wanted desperately to tell her that she was wrong; that it was her and her alone that she was worried about...but she knew that Michiru was right.
"Now, tell me Ruka, what's really going on?"
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It had been years since she received any house calls; not since she was still a young woman, and then mostly to elderly patients who could no longer leave their homes.
But this morning, it seemed, was full of surprises.
The last thing she expected to receive was an urgent message from the Kuchiki Estate. It seemed that the Lady Kuchiki was very sick and thought herself to be dying.
I can see why she would request a house call, something like this would not do well in the public eye, she thought to herself.
Setting the letter aside, Captain Unohana gathered her personal medical supplies and left her office, intent on heading straight for the Kuchiki Estate.
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Rukia heasitated.
"I may be sick." stated Michiru, her hazel eyes flashing, "But I am no fool. I know when something is bothering you. Why are you so tense?"
Coming to sit once again in the small chair placed at the bedside, Rukia could feel Michiru's eyes on her. She sat, daintily, being careful not to mar her ornate kimono. Running her fingers over the glittering designs, she began.
"Hisana Nee-sama is hiding something from me...again."
"How do you know?" asked Michiru cautiously. She had just gotten Rukia to calm herself and the last thing she wanted to do was to rile her up again.
"I can just tell."
"Do you think it has to do with Lieutenant Abarai?"
"No, that was meant to be a...suprise. This feels different, like a secret. I just can't shake this premonition I'm having."
"Rukia, have you spoken to Hisana-sama about this?"
"She won't tell me anything."
"Have you asked her?"
"I haven't..."
"Well, sitting here with me isn't going to solve the problem. You know I'm happy to listen, but I can't fix it."
"I know, I didn't even mean to bother you with all this. I came to see how you were doing." replied Rukia, raising her head to look Michiru in the eye.
"I'm fine; Now go straighten yourself out."
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She had been in there for over forty five minutes and Renji was starting to wonder if she would ever come out.
Leaning against the side of the entryway of the Emergency Care unit, he mentally berated himself for not dressing properly. He hadn't expected Rukia to be out of her uniform, but he should have known better. She was a Kuchiki, they do everything with excellence, even in the way they dress themselves. His uniform would just have to do... At least he had remembered to wear his Lieutenant badge.
He glanced at the entryway once more, just in time to see the subject of his thoughts exit the building.
"Kuchiki-sama!"
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He had called out to her, and Rukia was hoping beyond all hope that her sense of hearing was temporarily impaired, but he had called out to her.
Ignoring the stares of the other citizens around her as he approached, mostly fourth squad members and visiting family members of the sick, she silently cursed herself for not walking faster; had she been, she could have made it to her carriage in time.
"Abarai-san." Rukia greeted somewhat stiffly, with a slight bow.
"Kuchiki-sama," he replied bowing low. "I was hoping to catch you on your way out."
"It seems you have suceeded."
"Indeed, I have."
Feeling somewhat uncomfortable with an audience, not to mention her attire, Rukia was hoping to cut this strained conversation short, very short.
"I am pleased to see you again, Abarai-san, but-"
"I was hoping you would accompany me for lunch today." he interrupted rather abruptly.
"...Of course." replied Rukia reluctantly, though with courteousness, for what else could she say with practically the whole of the fourth squad eavesdropping. She had the sneaking suspicion that Renji knew this. "Please, join me."
With that she turned and headed towards the carriage. The coachman assisted her up and Renji followed after.
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They rode in silence at first. Renji had told the driver which restaurant to take them to, one that Rukia was very familiar with. Her Nee-sama had celebrated many a birthday there. "The Winter Lilac" was the name of it and the food was divine. It was not quite Rukia's cup of tea, but she would survive.
But for the life of her, she could not figure out when her carriage had become so small.
Seated across from the Lieutenant, she had a clear view of him. His long limbs seemed to go on forever, his arms spread across the backs of both of the plush seats he sat upon and his legs spanned the length of the cabin with ease, stretching to her seat across from him. Frowning, she looked down at her own legs, her feet just barely resting on the floor. She was reminded of just how small she really was.
Again.
She was trying her hardest not to look directly at him; keeping her eyes out the window or on the floor, anywhere but on him. She desperately fought against relishing in the memory of the evening before... about his strong arms around her... the sound of his heart beat thumping in her ears... the feel of his breath against her neck...
No, definitely not thinking about that.
She snuck a furtive glance at him from beneath thick lashes, only to meet his brown eyes with her violet ones. She felt her cheeks redden with a blush and looked away quickly, hoping that he had not noticed.
It seems he had. She heard a faint chuckle from his side of the cabin.
"Just what do you find so amusing?!" demanded Rukia indignantly, momentarily forgetting her manners.
"You." he replied truthfully.
"Hmph."
"I mean, you reminded me of when you were a child just then..."
"Oh."
It suddenly occurred to Rukia that this was as close to a normal conversation as they had reached in years. She didn't want it to end.
"Renji-" She was interrupted when the carriage jerked to a stop.
"It seems we've arrived." he stated.
He opened the door and stepped out. Turning back, he offered her his hand.
Placing her smaller hand in his, Rukia couldn't help but notice how warm it was. Having reached the ground, she glanced up to see him offering her his arm. She took it and smiled, albeit somewhat stiffly.
Together, they made their way into "The Winter Lilac".
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It wasn't dinnertime, it was barely even lunchtime. Needless to say, the restaurant was not crowded. There was a small quartet playing a soft melody in the far corner and only a few other patrons were dining. The host sat them at a private table with a view of the pond and lilac gardens that lay out back.
Taking a look around at the fancy yet modest decor of the restaurant, Rukia was glad once again that she had listened to her Nee-sama and dressed up. She already knew what she wanted to order and sat silently as Renji looked over the menu. They placed their orders when the waiter returned and handed over the menus.
Rukia ran her hands over her silken robes, tracing the glittering designs with her fingers.
"I hope this place is to your liking, Kuchiki-sama". Renji spoke up, finally breaking the silence.
"I've been here many times with my Nee-sama and her husband for her birthday. This was the first restaurant she took me to after... well, after..."
"After she found you." finished Renji quietly.
"Yes." said Rukia, looking up at him. He was staring out the window with a soft sad look in his eyes. She had half expected him to say "After she took you."
But he hadn't.
"Abarai-san, why did you bring me here?"
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It was a simple question, but he knew it meant more than what she said. He reached across the table and took one of her hands in his own, relishing in the feel of her soft skin against his rough palm. Looking right into her eyes, he told her straight.
"I brought you here to discuss what I expect out of our marriage."
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A/N: There. Can you tell I like when they hold hands? Haha. You know the drill, review and let me know what you think. Also, please see my profile for updated updating policies and other author info.
I'm just now realizing how short this chapter is.